Lead Customer Solutions Engineer

The Lead Customer Solutions Engineer is a player-coach role — part principal technical authority, part hands-on team builder. This engineer will continue to own FORT’s most strategic customer integrations while actively developing the next generation of Customer Solutions Engineers. They’ll set the technical bar through their own work in the field, then coach the team to meet it: pairing on tough integrations, running structured ride-alongs, and turning hard-won field lessons into playbooks the whole team can use. They’ll also partner closely with Product, Engineering, and Sales leadership to influence the roadmap and field strategy.

This is a high-impact, high-visibility position that requires deep technical expertise, strong leadership instincts, executive-level communication, and the ability to operate autonomously in fast-paced industrial environments and strategic accounts.

• Lead technical engagements at FORT’s most strategic customers, owning integration outcomes for FORT wireless E-Stop and remote-control products into AGVs, AMRs, and custom automation platforms
• Travel to customer sites (up to 25%) to drive integration design, troubleshoot complex implementation challenges, and ensure full functional and safety compliance
• Operate as a player-coach — lead complex integrations hands-on while simultaneously developing the team, modeling the standard for technical excellence, customer communication, and field execution
• Directly mentor and coach junior and mid-level Customer Solutions Engineers; create individualized development plans, set growth milestones, and track progress
• Pair junior engineers on customer engagements through structured ride-alongs, shadowing rotations, and co-led site visits to accelerate their ramp on CAN bus integration, safety architecture, and customer-facing skills
• Run regular technical deep-dives, case reviews, and post-mortems with the team to convert hard-won field lessons into reusable knowledge
• Provide real-time coaching and feedback during live customer escalations; gradually transfer ownership of accounts to developing engineers as they earn it
• Build the team’s technical playbooks, integration guides, and onboarding curriculum so new hires reach productivity faster
• Identify skill gaps across the team and partner with the hiring manager on recruiting, interviewing, and leveling decisions
• Lead integration design reviews, site assessments, and architecture discussions with senior customer engineering stakeholders
• Define and advise on integration architecture, including CAN bus topology, wiring schematics, and API-based software integration across diverse customer platforms
• Apply and champion functional safety principles to validate safety-rated system designs; serve as a subject-matter expert on safety compliance for both internal teams and customers
• Partner with Product and Engineering to translate field insights into roadmap improvements, identify recurring integration friction points, and influence product direction
• Represent FORT in escalations, technical executive briefings, and key account reviews

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
• 4+ years in systems engineering, field applications, or technical integration in robotics or industrial automation, with demonstrated technical leadership
• Proven track record of coaching, mentoring, and developing junior engineers — with concrete examples of engineers who grew under your guidance
• Comfort operating as a player-coach: still happiest with your hands on the system, but energized by lifting others up to your level
• Proven track record leading complex customer integrations from kickoff through deployment
• Deep hands-on experience with CAN bus protocols and API integration in industrial contexts
• Strong working knowledge of electrical systems, control schematics, and functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 13849, IEC 61508)
• Experience influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Ability to travel up to 30%, including international travel

• Prior experience as a technical lead, principal engineer, or staff-level field engineer at a robotics, automation, or industrial controls company
• Experience building or scaling a customer-facing engineering function (onboarding programs, playbooks, ride-along models)
• Experience integrating wireless control or E-Stop systems into mobile robotics platforms
• Familiarity with ROS, PLC-based systems, or industrial protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus)
• Experience contributing to product roadmap or playing a customer-zero / design-partner role on new product development

The base salary for this position ranges from $130,000-$160,000, based on qualifications, experience, and the level at which the candidate is hired. Total compensation may also include additional incentives and benefits.